Tuesday 26th October 1999
Springhill Dads v Robert Half
(Cup)
by Scoop
The Cup games have got to be played some time
and Robert Half had a Tuesday slot! So here we are; most of the A
Team on holiday, scrounging Hire-It players, eventually a squad
with too many subs and a vital fixture in the Dads calender to be
completed.
A couple of new Dads are on the books, Mathew McLachlan (teecher)
and Andy Simpson, who makes his first team debute tonite
SPRINGHILL DADS
Les Maros
John Frisby - Kevin Gerbil - Brian Medway - Tony Pascoe
Alan Jones - Jason Furness - Andy Simpson - Martin Kingsbury
Alan Aburrow - Jack Frost
Subs; Jeff Peasah, John Lynch, Paul Hanvey, Dave Hedges
Despite the scratch squad, the Dads were
quickly on the attack and Jack was put through. His shot was
palmed onto the post by the grateful keeper and cleared into
touch.
Jason quickly took the throw-in to Jack who crossed into the box
- Martin's shot went just wide.
The Dads possession and pressure gave them a bit of over
confidence and their defence caught napping. A Rob Half forward
surged up the flank but his shot flew across the goalmouth.
Not learning, Kevin was caught out, up-field and Rob Half went on
the over-lap but Brian made a good stop, the rebound shot went
wide.
Rob Half were finding their feet, now. A ball was put over the
top but Les was quickly off his line to smother the chance with
Brian denying the forward the shot. Another Rob Half break down
the flank but the cross was put behind off Les's gut. The corner
was quite dangerous but was put behind by a crutial header by
Andy - playing a blinder. He said he could play anywhere and he
was right, he didn't think he was going to have to play
everywhere!
The Dads chances weren't so often now. One time they managed to
break on the overlap, the ball was put through for Alan to run on
to but it was easily cut out. Jason looking for the sympathy vote
performed a beautyful dying swan when he fell over a Rob Half
mid-fielder's leg. The judges weren't giving out any 6's though.
Some more Rob Half pressure. A long ball out was headed through
but the forward was well off-side. Then with the Dads under
pressure and out numbered Martin came to the resue, he coolly
cleared the danger while being menaced by three Rob Half
attackers. The Dads took a deep breath and put a bit of play
together. Jason collected from John and piled through to feed
Jack who made a run into the box but the Rob Half defence was
rock solid.
The Dads took it up again and John passed out to Tony who played
a one two with Dave to feed Jason - just wide with his shot.
Against the run, Rob Half made a break - with a suspicion of
off-side the winger shot for Les to make a fantastic finger tip
save onto the cross bar, the rebound cleared away by John.
Then, in a sweeping move from defence, a forward raced through
the Dads defence and fired a low drive into the bottom corner
passed Les' dispairing dive.
In dying seconds Rob Half went close with an effort striking the
post.
HALF TIME
DADS 0 - 1 ROB HALF
The half time talk was up-beat, the Dads had aquitted themselves
well and were unlucky to be a goal down. Embarrassed by the
number of bottoms on the bench, the Dads made some substitutions
at half time. John Lynch and Paul Hanvey going on for John Frisby
and Martin Kingsbury.
From the kick off the ball was quickly played forward and in a
mad scramble a Rob Half plater managed to force the ball under
Les' body to increase the deficit. A sweeping move by the Dads
and Dave Hedges was through, he played the ball out to Alan and
was disappointed to see the keeper pull off a brilliant save at
the base of the post.
Andy was having a blinder - and did a close shepherding job on a
Rob Half forward in the penalty area, kept a cool head as the
ball got caught up under their legs. He won the ball and played
it out to mid-field. Dave took the ball up and put Jack away
after a dizzy run. Jack was one on one with the keeper but he
bravely smothered the ball at Jack's feet.
Dads were getting a bit hammered now and John Frisby went back on
for Alan, to shore up the mid-field. Another break-away and Les
made a great double save - Dave cleared away with help from Tony.
Then the defence were caught up-field - Rob Half beat the
off-side trap - forward play a one - two and shot wide of Les.
Jeff went on for Tony - the game was wide open, now and the Dads
were still looking for that elusive goal. In their eagerness in
search of the missing goal the Dads allowed their defence to
become overrun and a bit of clever play fooled Les for Rob Half
to score again.
The next Rob Half attack saw Brian on his own taking on three
forwards but the shot was too good flighted into the top right
corner - no chance, Les.
Then the Dads won a free kick from a hand ball on the edge of the
penalty area. Dave Hedges' strike was blocked but it came right
back to him. He thumped it with interest but the keeper had to be
on top form to save the rocket.
Jack had run himself ragged and came off to be replaced by Alan.
In a goal mouth melee a Rob Half defender recklessly handled on
the goal line. Someone might have shouted, 'don't let Dave take
it'. But Jason confidently stepped up to convert to spot kick
with ease putting the keeper the wrong way.
FULL TIME
DADS 1 - 5 ROBERT HALF
Man of the Match
Andy
Terrific all-action debute
Index - History - Match Reports - League Table - Photo Gallery